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Dan Gross: Bum rap for Philly

WE ALWAYS get a bum rap. Diane Sawyer's two-hour special "Prostitution in America: Working Girls Speak"on ABC Friday covered Camden prostitutes and referred to the city simply as "outside Philadelphia."

One reference in the piece said that the coverage was in Philadelphia. Sure, it's a few miles from Center City, but the piece never mentioned Camden or the state of New Jersey. Some footage was taped two years ago for a piece that never ran. It was rushed to air after the scandal of former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer renewed ABC's interest in the world's oldest profession.

"The program described Camden, N.J., as 'outside Philadelphia' because, as the closest major city, we felt it would give our national audience a better understanding of the location," an ABC spokeswoman said yesterday. "At one point during the two-hour program, we did say that we were 'back in the streets of Philadelphia,' which was an error that we apologize for."

Naked tale of Obama volunteer

One loyal reader thought his eyes were playing tricks on him Saturday night while watching NBC 10's 11 o'clock news. There was Dayle Haddon, former 1970s softcore-porn actress of "Spermula" and other films, being quoted as a volunteer for Barack Obama's campaign. Haddon has also modeled for Estee Lauder, Clairol and L'Oreal, and has written books on aging gracefully.

"I think Hillary is a wonderful candidate, too, and a strong candidate, but I feel that Barack Obama has leadership skills and an ability to unite," Haddon told NBC 10's Jillian Mele while talking with passers-by in Rittenhouse Square about Obama. "He maintains a level-headed, even tone that is very leaderlike, very presidential."

Obama's Pennsylvania spokesman, Sean Smith, said yesterday that Haddon must have just been here to volunteer and "wasn't part of any official campaign events."

'Screech' in town this week

"Screech" is coming to the Broadway Theatre in Pitman, N.J., Saturday. Dustin Diamond, as the "Saved by the Bell" star is formally known, will headline a comedy show alongside Ed McGonigal and Chris McDevitt, both regulars on Kidd Chris' 94 WYSP show, and Louis "Twitchels" Centani. Doors are at 7:30 p.m. Tickets, $25-$30, are available at thebroadwaytheatre.org.

Diamond, who can be seen on VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club: Boot Camp," will be live on NBC 10's "10" show at 2 p.m. Friday. The actor can also be seen in "Screeched," a porn film he initially claimed had been issued without his consent. But he later copped to having been involved in its distribution.

Martorano's final day at WIP

Today will be Steve Martorano's last day at 610 WIP, the radio host confirmed last night.

He'll be doing consulting work for CBS Radio and will join marketing agent Craig Kaplan's All Star Promotion, which handles lots of athlete endorsement deals.

Yesterday we reported that rumors at 'IP were that Glen Macnow would move into Martorano's midday slot with Anthony Gargano. WIP station manager Marc Rayfield has not returned requests for comment.

Haverford guy kisses and tells

Not all Haverford High basketball players go on to become successful male models who bed Elle Macpherson, Paulina Porizkova and Andie MacDowell, but Bruce Hulse did. Or so he writes in his new book, "Sex, Love and Fashion: A Memoir of a Male Model." The New York Daily News says Hulse is also a fan of Naomi Campbell's. He describes her as a "young, sweet, lovely English girl." No word on whether she was sweet and loving to him.

America goes to Cuba . . . Libre

After a busy day stumping for Hillary Clinton Saturday, "Ugly Betty" star America Ferrera left an event at 32° (16 S. 2nd) and walked a few doors up to Cuba Libre (10 S. 2nd) for dinner. Ferrara and about a dozen guests went for calamari, short ribs, grilled skirt steak with garlic mashed potatoes and a rosemary mushroom escabeche salad, and sipped on the restaurant's signature mojitos. The Golden Globe award-winner and company left about 10:30. *

Visit PhillyGossip.com for Dan's latest stories. Have a tip? Call 215-854-5963, or e-mail grossd@phillynews.com.

For recent columns, visit go.philly.com/dangross.

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